Robertson to convert listed building for Highland Council

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Robertson to convert listed building for Highland Council

A £5.7 million contract has been agreed with Robertson Northern to convert a listed former Fort William school building - a council-owned Victorian building - into modern offices for Highland Council.

Highland Council plans to bring together its professional and administrative staff from across the wider Locahber area in the West Highlands to the former Achintore Secondary School, with the consolidation set to save the authority £400,000 per year.

Phase 1 of the work to convert the Grade B Listed Building was completed in summer 2017. Robertson Northern also carried out Phase 2 of the project, comprising refurbishment of the existing building.

Frank Reid, Regional MD for Robertson Northern, said: "This project is a significant development for the town of Fort William and wider Lochaber, and has revived a much-loved building that's close to many people's hearts.

"Over the course of the development, we created a number of local jobs and take on apprentices, making sure that the redeveloped Achintore Secondary School retains its local heart and continues to serve the community."

Robertson Specialist Division will carry out all internal plasterwork.

"This project creates jobs and supports the local economy at a time when other sectors are struggling."

Councillor MacLennan

Built in 1876 and owned by Highland Council, the building has lain in abeyance since 1960, when it was replaced by Lochaber High School. The renovation of the Victorian building will see space within the building transformed into office space for the local authority, with additional room for other public sector partners in a move to reduce operational costs.

Lochaber Area Leader Councillor MacLennan said: "I am delighted that the contract has been awarded and we can look forward to bringing life back to a gateway building on the A82. Not only will the new offices allow us to deliver our services more cost-effectively and efficiently, but this project creates jobs and supports the local economy at a time when other sectors are struggling. Providing a modern, flexible, accessible working environment will benefit staff and customers and also allows us to free up more buildings in the town, creating more future development opportunities."